Health News for June 3, 2008

Gene may guide selection of smoking cessation treatment
Kicking the butt may soon become easier as a team of researchers has identified patterns of genes that appear to influence how well individuals respond to specific smoking cessation treatments. ANI

Sugar-sweetened beverages large part of US kids, teens diets
A new study by researchers at Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health has shown that kids and teens in the U.S. are now getting more of their calories from fruit juice and sugar-sweetened beverages (SSBs). ANI

Soon, a gene test to help patients in fighting bowel cancer
Australian oncologists have made a major breakthrough that would enable a gene test to predict how bowel cancer patients would react to the current drug therapies. ANI

Probiotic bacteria may help keep hay fever at bay
Scientists at the Institute of Food Research say that probiotic bacteria in a daily drink may beneficially modify the immune systems response to grass pollen, a common cause of seasonal hay fever. ANI

Correct vitamin supplements may help prevent vision loss from AMD
A new study of people with age-related macular degeneration (AMD), based at the Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, has found that a correct usage of vitamin supplements may help prevent loss of vision in those suffering from AMD. ANI

Scientists identify genetic marker for nearsightedness
Nearsightedness or Myopia is a disorder that affects millions worldwide, and now researchers have discovered genetic markers that leads to this condition and also other refractive errors like farsightedness. ANI

60 percent American adults have at least one chronic condition
Sixty percent of American adults have at least one chronic medical condition, according to figures from the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ). ANI

Ill-treated kids do better living with relatives than in foster care
Children who leave homes after being ill treated are likely to have less behavioural problems if placed with relatives rather than in foster care, says a new study. ANI

Vitamin, mineral supplements may help fix slight genetic defects
Scientists at the University of California, Berkeley, predict that peoples personal genomes will be tested in future to detect any slight genetic flaws that can be fixed with remedies as simple as vitamin or mineral supplementation. ANI

Long-term cannabis use linked to brain abnormalities
Long-term, heavy cannabis users are likely to have structural abnormalities in brain, says a new study. ANI

Scientists develop new method to manage pregnancy risks
Researchers from the University of Pennsylvania School of Medicine have suggested a new method that would help in managing risks in pregnancy, with healthier newborns and better birth outcomes for the mothers. ANI

Magnetic bone implants may help fix damaged skeletons in future
A US surgeon has proposed the idea of making artificial bone implants with magnetic properties to deal with some fundamental problems associated with the implantation procedure. ANI

Electrical impulses could improve walking in Parkinsons patients
Using a technique called Functional Electrical Stimulation (FES) may help improve walking for people suffering from neurodegenerative disease Parkinsons, finds a new study. ANI

Inhibiting enzyme may help stop malaria parasite from becoming sexually mature
UK scientists have shown the possibility of preventing malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum from becoming sexually mature. ANI

Chlorinated tap water during pregnancy increases babies heart disease risk
Pregnant woman should resist from drinking water disinfected by chlorine as it may increase the risk of having children with heart problems, cleft palate or major brain defects, says a new study. ANI

Review finds link between obesity, depression
Obesity and depression are not just two different health conditions, but they have an astonishing interrelationship, according to new research. ANI

Drinking juice not linked to being overweight in kids
Kids who drink 100-percent juice are no more likely to be overweight than children who do not drink juice, finds a new study. ANI

Concord grape juice may help improve memory in older adults
Drinking polyphenol-rich Concord grape juice may improve memory in older adults, finds a new study. ANI